Stigmatization of People with Mental Disorders


"Stigmatization of people with mental disorders is manifested by bias, distrust, stereotyping, fear, embarrassment, anger, and/or avoidance. Stigma leads the (public) to avoid people with mental disorders. It reduces access to resources and leads to low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness. It deters
the public from seeking, and wanting to pay for care. Stigma results in outright discrimination and abuse. More tragically, it deprives people of their dignity and interferes with their full participation in society."

--U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher (ret.)

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Stigma of Mental Illness

" Stigmatization of people with mental disorders is manifested by bias, distrust, stereotyping, fear, embarrassment, anger and avoidance. Stigma leads people to avoid others with mental disorders. It reduces access to resources and leads to low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness. It deters the public from seeking and wanting to pay for care. Stigma results in discrimination...More tragically, it deprives people of their dignity and interferes with their full participation in society."
US Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I have lost my last three jobs because of the stigma attached after a bad episode. How do you deal with telling your employer that you have this? Or like me try to hide it as long as you can?

Shy Ruby Lynn said...

I understand! I live in a community where mental illness is taboo. Only my close friends know that I have been diagnosed bipolar. My family doesn't even know (with the exception of my husband). My doctor told me something very profound to me. He said, "Your disease doesn't define you. You are still you! You are no different than a heart patient taking blood pressure medication or a diabetic taking insulin. Don't lose yourself in your diagnosis. You are still the wonderful you that you always have been, the only difference is that with treatment you are only going to be even more fabulous!" I have felt isolated because of my disease and have started blogging and following other blogs of people in my similar situation. I really enjoyed reading your blog. I don't feel so alone now! Here is a link to my blog. Thanks!!
http://afullandhappylifewithbipolar.blogspot.com/